Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Maitai River and The Queen’s Garden

Jan. 26, 2013

Much of New Zealand is allabout untamed nature – seeing penguins swimming up to their nests among the
rocks, boating in the fjords and watching the dolphins play, hiking up and down
volcanoes or geothermal wonderlands – and we’ve done much of that.

But New Zealand is also part
of the British Commonwealth, and nature in Britannia is somewhat more tamed,
perhaps even deliberate and planned and manicured. As in gardens.
And while Christchurch claims the title “City of Gardens,” I believe
Nelson is running a close second.

The town of Nelson is on the
central part of the north coast of the South Island, nestled between the Tasman
Bay to the north and various foothills and mountain ranges on the other three
sides. The city has one of the
most temperate climates in NZ, or so the residents claim – and the areas south
and east of Nelson are known for the vineyards and wineries. Gardening and farming are a big part of
this area.

Nelson has the obligatory hanging
flowers and various flowerbeds scattered around town. But the real jewel is the Maitai River (yes, pronounced like
the drink) which runs through and winds around the town, and is bordered by
parks along the length, with bike and footpaths, picnic tables, and
benches. Even where private
property runs down to the banks of the river, people have added flowers and
rock gardens to beautify the banks of the river, for everyone to enjoy.

I had a delightful walk
along the river, watching ducks mingle with sea birds, tourists wandering
along, workers having a picnic lunch, students enjoying the last few days
before school begins. Everyone
along the river was relaxing and enjoying the scenery and the sun. It was beautiful and lush and green,
with willows draping their arms into the stream of clear water, flax and reeds
waving in the breeze, and flowers providing dots and dabs of bright color to
the picture.

Eventually I came to the
point where Queen’s Garden came closest to the riverwalk, so I headed over. What a beautiful public garden! There was a huge duck pond with a
fountain, paths winding through tamed woods, a waterwheel, all kinds of
exciting things. A Chinese garden
had been donated and was just lovely, with wrought iron gates and bridges and a
little pagoda, as well as stones that came right out of Chinese scroll
paintings. There was a very
manicured rose garden with hedgerows encircling a gold and white fountain,
almost reminiscent of Versailles and all the French chateaus. Impatiens mixed with native New Zealand
trees and plants, and a Christmas cactus was in full bloom because, after all,
this is just a month after Christmas.

I just rambled and enjoyed
the beauty of this place, a little tranquil bit of wildness and well-maintained
Old Country Europe and transplanted China – sort of an oasis of nature in the middle of a small but
busy metropolis. I think I found
every nook and cranny of that park, or garden.

And then I walked home,
noticing how the house owners almost all had lovely gardens surrounding their
homes, no matter how small the house.
It’s the height of summer, and flowers are blooming and the air is
fragrant with the scents of lilies, lavender, roses, blossoming trees. And butterflies – suddenly the huge
orange monarch butterflies are here, and several circled me as they flew by in
search of nectar. I’m not sure if
the monarchs who come through here eventually go back to Mexico – but that
flash of orange fluttering by just adds to the beauty of the gardens here.

I also found a number of
houses that look like hobbits or sprites or elves might live there – the usual
small Victorian cottages or bungalows with gingerbread and spires – but then
there was a Hansel and Gretel house with an upstairs door that led to nowhere. One would need to be a magical being
with wings to enter the house through that door. Or the gate to a garden that had a large round opening in
the gate, giving rise to the thought that one was entering a hobbit hole, or a
rabbit burrow.

And of course there was a
signature manhole cover in this part of town, along the riverwalk and garden
area, showcasing the fish in the river and the music and art of Nelson. All rendered in the whimsical style of
a child’s drawing. I think manhole
covers are a neglected, underrated, and often overlooked art form, and I really
find a lot of them express a town’s view of itself and the importance of visual
art in the community.

It was a wonderful few hours
exploring the cultured and cultivated side of nature in Nelson, and it was a
lovely break from exploring the wild side or the major cities.

Jan. 26, 2013

Our morning was spent at the
Nelson Market – sort of a farmer’s market, arts and crafts fair, and taste of
New Zealand, all in one huge parking lot.
It was fun looking at gorgeous produce, tasting bits of fudge or
whatever, buying a few treats (chocolate cannoli!), looking at handmade jewelry
and clothing and crafts. We didn’t
buy anything other than a few treats, because our luggage is full, but it was
fun nevertheless.

We then drove from Nelson to
Picton, through hills and valleys and passes, over rivers and streams and more
mud flats, to Queen Charlotte Sound.
We wound through vineyards and wineries, and may stop at a few tomorrow
– but today we only stopped at the Makana Chocolate Factory, because, well,
this is a Phebe and Richard trip and we have our priorities.

Oh, and I have to add a
photo of Sophie, the house cat from A Woodsy House in Nelson, because she is so
beautiful.